Ditching Perfection

By Carly BartlettReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Ditching Perfection episodes

July 27, 2023 Episode 72: Jesus Q&A | Why is it so difficult to receive help from others? | John 13:1-17
Is it hard for you to accept help from others? In John 13, when Jesus was washing the disciples’ feet, Peter was like, “No way, man.” He may have been ashamed of his grit and grime, or he may have felt like he had the right answer… I shouldn’t let Jesus wash my feet! But Jesus said, “Unless I wash you, you have no part of me.” Jesus’ actions and His words remind us that - Being connected to Jesus and His mission, begins simply with receiving from Him, not achieving for Him. The world tells us that we have to work hard to earn love, to earn our way to approval, to clean up before we show up… but the opposite of true with Jesus. We are invited to receive first so that we can share that foot-washing, meet you in the mess kind of love with others.
16 min
July 25, 2023 Episode 71: Jesus Q&A | What is the heart behind rules? | John 14:1-6
Jesus asks this question of the skeptical Pharisees, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they don’t have anything to say to this question.
When it becomes personal, they would obviously act. They wouldn’t let a rule inhibit them from saving someone they loved or an animal that was connected to their well-being. So, in asking this question, Jesus is reminding us that we are all connected. Everyone’s needs should impact us in a personal way.
We are invited to think about the rules that dictate our day to day lives: Are those guidelines and boundaries rooted in compassion or legalism?
Jesus’ question reminds us to be guided by the heart behind the rules rather than becoming laser-beam focused on the rules themselves.
15 min
July 20, 2023 Episode 70: Jesus Q&A | Are your priorities causing you to lose yourself? | Luke 9:23-25
When we elevate ourselves, rather than elevate Christ, it is actually a sign of shaky trust. Underneath self-preservation and self-promotion is a distrust that God will care for us, guide us, and give us a purposeful life. God wants what is best for us. When Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, it is because the most peaceful, purposeful life is found when we depend first on Jesus rather than ourselves.
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I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠⁠@carlycommunicates⁠⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at ⁠https://carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠⁠.
14 min
July 18, 2023 Episode 69: Jesus Q&A | What shapes how I think about Jesus? | Mark 8:27-30
In Mark 8:29, Jesus asks Peter: “Who do you say that I am?” Who do you say that Jesus is? Is Jesus your friend? Is He your comforter? Or is Jesus someone who seems far away and distant?
Jesus cares about what we think and how our experiences have shaped our understanding of who He is. Sometimes the pain or the brokenness of our stories can alter the way we see Jesus… and He isn’t offended by that. That doesn’t cause Him to walk away.
Peter and the disciples didn’t fully understand who Jesus was either. Just as He didn’t give them on them, Jesus is committed to us. He meets us right where we are, acknowledges how we feel, and envelops us with His compassion. His continued compassion is what brings us clarity.
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I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠@carlycommunicates⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at https://carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠.
13 min
July 13, 2023 Episode 68: Jesus Q&A | How do I find clarity in the midst of confusion? | Mark 8:14-21
In this passage, we read 8 questions! WOW! That’s a lot. Some of them are rhetorical, and some Jesus pauses for the disciples’ response. Why did Jesus ask so many questions? And why did He specifically ask them to recall the amount of leftovers in the miraculous feedings?
Jesus was asking the disciples questions to help them remember… because remembering helps bring clarity in times of confusion.
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠@carlycommunicates⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at ⁠carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠.
12 min
July 11, 2023 Episode 67: Jesus Q&A | What do I do when it is hard to believe? | Matthew 9:28-31
Sometimes, we hear stories of people getting healed when they were at the end of their rope and had lost hope that they’d be healed… and God healed them! We’ve also heard many stories, and probably have been disappointed and hurt personally because we’ve known people who were full of faith that they’d be healed, and they weren't. Maybe we even prayed with full confidence saying, “Yes, Lord, I believe you can do this,” and the healing never came… for us or someone we love. This is hard to reconcile, isn’t it?
I am on the journey with you, friends. I hope you'll join me for a raw conversation about prayer, belief, doubt, and more... The good news is: God isn't offended by our questions. Instead God meets us right in the midst of them.
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠@carlycommunicates⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at ⁠carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠.
13 min
July 06, 2023 Episode 66: Jesus Q&A | How do I find courage when I’m intimidated? | Mark 5:1-20
I am intimidated by a lot of things, to be honest. After watching the news, I used to tell my husband, “I just want to move off the grid and live like Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie.” But as I’ve felt that, Jesus whispers to me, “Don’t let fear and intimidation be your boss.” Fear and intimidation are natural responses, but as one of my fav podcasters, Annie F. Downs says, “Emotions can be in the car, but they shouldn’t be in the driver’s seat.” I appreciate that, because I don’t know if I will ever get rid of feelings of fear or intimidation… but they don’t have to be my boss or drive my car.
In today's passage when Jesus is interacting with the demoniac, Jesus asks, “What is your name?” That question leads me to an important answer that my soul craves… Jesus’ name is greater than any other name. I can know that in my head, but I am working on learning to live like that is true with my whole heart.
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠@carlycommunicates⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at ⁠carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠.
16 min
July 04, 2023 Episode 65: Jesus Q&A | Where is Jesus in the middle of the storm? | Mark 4:35-41
Jesus isn’t shaken by what shakes us. This doesn’t mean He doesn’t care. Oh, He certainly cares about us, but when storms come, His confidence and peace are totally secure.
When Jesus asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” I think He is reminding the disciples, and us today, to follow His lead. Where is Jesus in the storm? What is Jesus’ posture? Instead of fixing our eyes on the waves, we are invited to fix our eyes on Jesus… the one whose peace is more powerful than the storm.
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠@carlycommunicates⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at ⁠carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠.
12 min
June 29, 2023 Episode 64: Jesus Q&A | Who is invited to your family table? | Luke 7:36-50
Jesus asks, "Do you see this woman?" because He realizes that our perspectives and perceptions shape how we interact with the world. God is inviting us to see others and ourselves not by what we’ve done or not done, but by who we are… beloved children of God. We’re all seated at the same table.
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠@carlycommunicates⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at ⁠carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠.
12 min
June 27, 2023 Episode 63: Jesus Q&A | Am I afraid to be disappointed by God? | Matthew 7:7-12
Today, we're talking about disappointment, so I am sharing my most cringey dating story EVER. It was the worst Valentine's Day ever...
We’ve all been disappointed, had our feelings hurt, or been crushed when people have not kept their word. Sometimes, then, we project our past hurt onto Jesus, closing ourselves off from vulnerability and trust. We set our expectations of Jesus too low, because we just can’t stand to be disappointed again.
But what Jesus is saying here is that He’s not like people. God’s trustworthiness and reliability goes beyond human capacity. To know that true is an incredible gift, but to act like it is true requires a step of courage.
I'd love to connect with you on Instagram ⁠@carlycommunicates⁠. If there is ever any way that I can link arms with you in ministry though speaking or worship leading, let me know at ⁠carlycommunicates.com/contact/⁠.
12 min

About Ditching Perfection

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the “Ditching Perfection” podcast with Carly Bartlett. Each week, this podcast will help you pursue wholeness in Jesus rather than trying to have it all together. Along the way, you will…